Bangladesh: At least five people, including one child, have been killed and more than 450 injured after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh, sending shockwaves across the densely populated capital, Dhaka and nearby districts.
The epicentre was recorded near the Narsingdi district, approximately 30 kilometres from Dhaka, triggering widespread panic as buildings shook for several seconds. Thousands rushed outdoors from residential towers, offices and classrooms, fearing structural collapse.
Authorities confirmed that three of the fatalities occurred in Dhaka’s Armanitola area when debris and a metal railing fell from a five-storey building, according to deputy police commissioner Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami. Elsewhere, students were injured in chaotic evacuations, at least 10 were hurt in a stampede at Dhaka University.
Nitai Chandra De Sarkar, director of the monitoring division, reported that 461 people were injured nationwide, with 252 in Gazipur alone. Emergency teams are now surveying affected zones.
Residents described the tremor as one of the strongest in recent memory. Sadman Sakib, who was at work when the quake struck, staed that, “I have never felt such tremor in my 30 years of life.” Images from Dhaka showed disaster-response forces working through narrow alleyways to stabilise bamboo and brick structures damaged in the quake.
Tremors were also felt across Indian border states, though no major damage was reported. The earthquake briefly interrupted Ireland’s second Test cricket match in Bangladesh, halting play for three minutes as players and spectators evacuated for safety.
Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan stated that, “It’s never a nice feeling,” reflecting on the moment of uncertainty before play resumed. Bangladesh authorities are expected to release a full damage assessment later as aftershock monitoring continues across the region.
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